A petition opposing the modifications has now garnered greater than 60,000 signatures.
The petition presently has greater than 60,000 signatures (Picture: Getty)
The Division for Work and Pensions (DWP) has responded to a petition opposing deliberate modifications to the Motability Scheme, after tens of hundreds of disabled drivers and campaigners raised issues concerning the affect the reforms may have on accessibility and independence. The petition, which closes on July 15, 2026, has garnered 59,731 signatures from individuals involved that the deliberate modifications will make it tougher for disabled drivers to afford and maintain appropriate automobiles.
Underneath modifications introduced within the Autumn Funds and finalised by Motability Operations, disabled drivers taking out new Motability leases from July 1, 2026, will face a number of new prices and restrictions. VAT reduction on Advance Funds for some automobiles shall be eliminated, Insurance coverage Premium Tax (IPT) shall be added to leases and annual mileage allowances for brand spanking new leases shall be decreased to 10,000 miles.
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The DWP stated round three in 4 Motability clients drive fewer than 10,000 miles every year (Picture: Getty)
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The modifications will solely have an effect on new leases and won’t apply to wheelchair-accessible automobiles or current agreements.
Critics have stated that the proposed decrease mileage cap and supplementary prices will limit independence and exacerbate monetary pressures on disabled households.
Based on disabled drivers and advocacy teams, these coverage modifications misjudge the distinctive transport dependencies of disabled people, who already navigate decrease common incomes and the next price of residing.
Campaigners and incapacity advocacy teams argue that the reforms fail to replicate the truth many disabled individuals face, notably those that rely closely on their automobiles for every day residing, medical appointments and work.
The petition reads: “The latest price range has introduced taxes on superior funds and a lower in mileage allowances. We imagine that is unfair to probably the most susceptible in society and will have an effect on their independence.
“Many disabled individuals earn significantly lower than common and a price enhance may imply they battle to get a automotive. Many disabled individuals additionally want to make use of their automotive for brief journeys, the place others could possibly stroll, and mileage quickly provides up due to this.
“Whereas these residing in massive cities may doubtlessly depend on public transport, public transport is commonly uncommon in rural areas, which can doubtlessly take individuals’s independence away.”
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After surpassing 10,000 signatures, the Authorities has now issued an official response, defending the reforms and insisting the modifications are designed to stability help for disabled individuals with “equity to taxpayers”.
The DWP’s response reads: “The Motability Scheme is a lifeline for a lot of disabled individuals and households, supporting their independence by enabling them to lease a automotive, a wheelchair accessible car, scooter or powered wheelchair in alternate for an eligible incapacity profit allowance.
“The Authorities and Motability have labored in partnership to develop a collection of reforms which strike the appropriate stability between delivering a key service for disabled individuals and equity to the taxpayer, saving over £1 billion by monetary 12 months 2030/31. These reforms won’t have an effect on eligibility for the Motability Scheme or incapacity advantages.
“The VAT reduction for Superior Funds – a one-off cost made to lease dearer automobiles – shall be eliminated and Insurance coverage Premium Tax (IPT) will apply to leases at the usual charge, bringing tax remedy in keeping with business leasing companies. These modifications will solely apply to clients taking out new leases with Motability and won’t apply to present leases or to wheelchair accessible automobiles in recognition of the extra prices related to these automobiles. VAT reliefs on weekly lease prices and car resale will stay in place.
“Motability has additionally confirmed it can proceed to supply a broad vary of automobiles accessible with out an Advance Fee, making certain that individuals can entry automobiles suited to their wants, whether or not that’s a bigger car or additional boot area to hold wheelchairs, utilizing solely their incapacity profit.”
The DWP added that on March 26, Motability introduced modifications to the leasing bundle that can have an effect on new leases taken out from July 1 and that for brand spanking new leases, mileage shall be 10,000 miles a 12 months.
“That is according to commonplace mileage allowances for automotive leases, and three out of 4 present clients drive fewer than 10,000 miles a 12 months. Motability recognises that some clients could have to drive extra miles for quite a lot of causes. They are going to be introducing an exceptions course of for very restricted conditions and can share an replace earlier than 1 July.
“Customary leases will proceed to incorporate insurance coverage, servicing, upkeep and breakdown cowl, defending the core bundle of help accessible to clients. In figuring out these modifications, Motability have taken cautious steps to make sure the Scheme stays good worth and accessible for disabled individuals. This contains participating with Scheme clients about potential modifications, the suggestions from which has knowledgeable the modifications.”
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